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White Sox agree to terms on a six-year contract with Jose Abreu

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The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on a six-year, $68-million contract with free agent first baseman Jose Abreu.

Under terms of the deal, Abreu will receive a $10-million signing bonus and be paid $7 million in 2014 and 2015, $10 million in 2016, $10.5 million in 2017, $11.5 million in 2018 and $12 million in 2019.

Abreu, 26, has played the last nine seasons for Cienfuegos in Serie Nacional (Cuban National Series), Cuba's top-level league. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Abreu made his debut with the team in 2004 at age 17.

Including postseason, Abreu has hit .392 (446-1,138) with 133 home runs, 337 RBI, 311 runs scored and 278 walks in 346 games over the last four seasons (2010-13).

"We are very excited to add a talent like Jose to our roster for the next several years," said Rick Hahn, White Sox senior vice president/general manager. "His skill set should translate very well to our ballpark, and we expect him to be a part of successful White Sox teams throughout his time in Chicago."

Abreu hit .316 (91-288) with 19 home runs and 60 RBI over 83 games in 2013, his final season with Cienfuegos. Abreu, who bats and throws right-handed, also posted a .479 on-base and .604 slugging percentage last season. His 19 homers tied for the league lead.

The Cienfuegos, Cuba native was named Serie Nacional Most Valuable Player in 2011 when he hit .453 (96-212) with 33 home runs, 93 RBI, a .587 on-base and .986 slugging percentage over 66 games. He added four homers and five RBI in the postseason.

Abreu has represented his native Cuba in a number of international baseball tournaments, including the World Baseball Classic, World Cup, International Cup, World Port, Pan American Qualifying and the World University Tour. Abreu batted .360 (9-25) with three homers, nine RBI and six runs scored over six games in the 2013 WBC when Cuba advanced out of Pool A but was eliminated in the second round.